In a historic step, Indian Forest Service officer Sonali Ghosh has been named the incoming field director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. It marks a significant milestone for the renowned sanctuary, which is famous for the endangered one-horned rhino.

Ms. Ghosh, currently the Chief Conservator of Forests for Research, Education, and Working Plan, will begin her new position on September 1. She will take over from the outgoing director, Jatindra Sarma, who is retiring on August 31.

Kaziranga National Park, home to the iconic one-horned rhino and acclaimed as a global symbol of conservation, is set to see a fresh chapter unfold under the leadership of Ms. Ghosh. With her appointment, she became the first woman to head the 118-year-old park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.

The roots of the park’s esteemed status go back to its very beginning, where its story is closely tied to the influence of remarkable women. In 1904, Baroness Mary Victoria Leiter Curzon, the wife of Viceroy Lord George Nathaniel Curzon, played a vital role in the park’s establishment.

Baroness Curzon’s dedicated efforts laid the foundation for the conservation endeavors that have propelled Kaziranga’s remarkable journey to success. She motivated herself when Balaram Hazarika, or Nigona Shikari, as he was also called, issued an urgent appeal to safeguard rhinos from hunters and poachers. These visionary actions started the preventive measures that continue to define Kaziranga’s heroic story.

Spanning 1,355 square kilometers, the tiger reserve is a prime example of protecting wildlife. With 2,613 greater one-horned rhinos recorded in the March 2022 census, it’s a conservation triumph. Plus, a thriving tiger population adds to its importance in global conservation efforts, playing a key role in preserving biodiversity.

Actually, it was the dawn of a tiger reserve in Kaziranga National Park when it was first called a Proposed Reserve Forest on June 1, 1905. The journey from there to where it is now shows how dedicated people’s hard work and vision can make something bigger.

With Ms. Sonali Ghosh as the new leader, she not only adds to Kaziranga’s story but also carries forward the legacy of impactful women who have shaped its history.

The park is steadfast in its dedication to conserving India’s diverse biodiversity. Under Ms. Ghosh’s leadership, the future holds a promise of innovation, inclusivity, and an unwavering passion for the wonders of nature.